CATCHING UP WITH JASON PEARSON

[MattBrady]

If he had to characterize it, Jason Pearson would probably call this part of his career “The Road Back.” Coming into the industry in the early ‘90s, Pearson saw his popularity grow along with demand for his work, which lead to a well-received creator-owned project, Body Bags.

Problem was, Pearson had schedule problems, and by the mid to late ‘90s, was, for better and worse, frequently mentioned in the same sentence with other superstar artists who couldn’t seem to keep a dependable schedule - those whose work you'd more likely see as a pin-up or cover, rather than inside an actual comic.

But that was then, this is now. Pearson’s back with regular cover work on Robin and other titles, as well as a slew of short stories for Wildstorm. We caught up with him for an overview of where he’s been and where he’s headed.

“I got into the industry in 1990 with Legion of Superheroes, and it was all about having fun,” Pearson said. “Keith Giffen, who was one of my mentors said, ‘To do comics, you either have to have fun or get out.’ At the time, that was true, and I was very excited to being doing it. Somewhere along in the mid ‘90s though, I took it upon myself that I had to suffer to be an artist, and I had something that I had to prove – so I overcommitted, put too much detail in, and basically, started killing myself and having no life. And it wasn’t fun.”

Pearson’s four issue Body Bags came out in 1996, part of the Blanc Noir line of titles produced by Gaijin Studios for Dark Horse. The miniseries received good marks all around, and the drums started beating for a follow-up.

“In ’98 and ’99, I felt the pressure to do a follow-up to Body Bags, but the problem was, the first series had been very draining,” Pearson said. “I was financially in debt after that book, and because of the delays and the company I was working for, I wasn’t able to jump right on to another series while I had the momentum from the first series. So, by the time it came down to it, I wrote up a story in a rush, and when I was finished, I’d gotten sick. When I got out of the hospital and had time to recover, I came back to the story, and realized that I really didn’t like it, and I couldn’t waste my time, or the fans’ time with an inferior product.”

For a while after giving up plans for Body Bags 2, Pearson did some cover work, but found no one was calling for interiors. “Everybody just assumed that I was working on Body Bags 2, and covers and that was it,” Pearson said. “I had to let people know that I had cancelled that project, because I wasn’t happy with how it was going, and show that I could do interiors for other books.”

Pearson put the word out that he was wiling to do interiors for anyone on virtually anything, but the phone didn’t ring. “The thing was, the market had changed. A lot of the editors that I had come in with were gone, and the mindset was gone – it was no longer an artist’s market, where you could be egotistical, blow off deadlines, and basically not work more than you wanted, which we saw in the early ‘90s. Now, it’s a writer’s market – now all the big-time writers over commit and blow deadlines, and it’s the artists who have to maintain the schedules,” Pearson said with a good-natured smile. “That’s fine, but it’s a humbling experience to have happen if you were around in that earlier time. It’s a bit of cold water on the face when you have that first editor say to you, ‘We like your work, but we can’t chance hiring you, because we have to make sure the deadlines are met.’ So I had to prove myself again to the market and editors, and I started with short stories.

“I also had to get out of that ‘90s mindset of being completely self-indulgent with drawing, and fooling myself with thinking that comics are all about art as a high concept. This is a production-oriented market. This is a commercial workplace with a collaborative product, and there’s a certain amount of professionalism that has to be maintained. When you commit to a project, and agree to deadlines, you’re making a promise with the publisher. That had to be redefined with me. That meant curtailing a lot of my tendencies to be more detailed than necessary, and get down to the storytelling. The realization really helped me out a lot.”

Ultimately, Pearson found work mostly at Wildstorm, where he’s illustrated short stories in Tom Strong’s Terrific Tales the Tesla Strong Special and others, and recently illustrated issue #11 of Warren Ellis’ Global Frequency, Pearson’s first full issue in years. He’s also found cover and short story work at Marvel and Dark Horse.

But going back to regular, book-length work is something Pearson’s doing at Wildstorm.

“Now, with all of that work in, and they can see that I can meet deadlines, Wildstorm is willing to try me again on a book, and asked me to look at reinventing one of their characters,” Pearson said. “Of course, I went for the characters people know, like Voodoo and Zealot, and some of the other Wildcats characters, but unfortunately, while I was looking, Joe Casey had plans for all of them.

“I had to move down further and further on the list and reached the characters that nobody knew or cared about, really. There was a book called Black Ops back in ’96, which was done by Dan Norton. I was flipping through one of the Wildstorm annuals where they listed off the characters and their abilities, and found one of the characters from that book, Redbird. She looked like someone that I could do something with, so I picked her.

“She’s a Native American mercenary, and I’ve got her on the run from her former employer, and hiding out in the ghetto in Englewood, California. I figure that’s as good a place as any to hide, since no one wants to go there, really, anyway.”

The five issue miniseries is edited by Ben Abernathy, although Pearson said he has the attention of Wildstorm Executive Editor Scott Dunbier as well. “I guess I’m one of their favorite guys right now,” Pearson said. “Wildstorm has shown me a lot of love and trust – when everybody else was telling me they didn’t have time or room for me to work on something, Wildstorm gave me a chance. They backed me up, and have been very cool with me, so I feel obliged to be cool with them by giving them product that they can sell.

“The hope with Redbird is that it will be a trilogy – three miniseries that would result in one big finale when she goes up against the man.”

As for whether or not writing and drawing Redbird will reignite the fire of doing more creator-owned work, even returning to Body Bags, Pearson compared his “re-entry” into the industry to another type of recovery.

“I’m like a recovering alcoholic in that sense – one day at a time, one project a time. One step at a time. It’s never good to look too far ahead, because then you get distracted. You’ve got to deal with the now, and for now, it’s Redbird. I’d love to do more Body Bags, as long as I could come up with a story that would appease me and everyone else would get a kick out of it. The bigger picture is that I’m back to having fun with the work. It does no good for me, or for anybody else to not be doing that.”

That said, Pearson isn’t ruling out a run on a company-owned character either. “Like a lot of other guys, I was raised on the iconic characters, and Spider-Man is one of those characters where eventually, I’d love to do that epic run with him, and show people what I could do,” Pearson said. “I don’t think anyone’s done it right yet – and yes, that’s my arrogant opinion talking, but I think I could pull off a good run on that book. We’ll see what happens.”

[Doug_Wagner]

At Heroes Con, I got a chance to see the Redbird pages Jason has finished so far. INCREDIBLE!! He might not have done much work over the past couple of years, but he hasn't lost his touch. Redbird? Sign me up!

[cs3ink]

I'm in, too. I've missed seeing Jason's work. Great to hear I'll be seeing more.

Later,
Chip

[Cray_ws]

I loved the potential the orginal Black Ops mini-series had. I recall the character Redbird, she was barely fleshed out let alone the rest of the cast in Black Ops. Jason Pearson will be able to do just about anything with her. From what he's briefly hinted, it sounds as if he's going to ground her in a tighter backdrop.

I look forward to seeing this book on the shelves. I highly recommend Wildstorm skip the monthly and release this as OGN, Pearson's name alone will sell it.

[algertman]

then he should feel right at home, since someone seems to turn stuff in on time

[punkmonkey]

Hmm...
Pearson is always an artist whose end product I've admired, when he gets stuff done, but his lack of product an inability to really do anything but covers have made me a bit indifferent towards his work.
There's also some personal issues I have with him (not based on what he's done to me, but to a dear friend) which I won't drag out in the open. It was a few years ago and he may be a completely different person now.
I'm looking forward to seeing his new stuff, though.

[Grendel Prime]

Jason Pearson is without a doubt one of my favorite creators, right up there with Dave Johnson, Matt Wagner, and Mike Mignola (though Mignola reigns over all).

Every time I see a cover or pin-up or short story that Pearson has done for Grendel or Hellboy or the Batman/Robin books, it just makes me all the more eager to get some full-length work out of him. I was totally stoked that a writer I respect as much as Warren Ellis tapped Pearson for an issue of Global Frequency (the best mini-series of the last two years, in my opinion).

Body Bags was a great read, and I've been anxious for a sequel ever since. Kindof bummed to find out that he's holding off on that (at least for the near future). But any full-length work by Pearson is something to be happy about.

Now if only we could get Mark Texeira back on a full-length title...

[AlexLothos]

I am definatly looking forward to seeing this in print!!!

[valentine]

That Redbird model sheet is phenomenal. Call me superficial, but that's enough for me to drop down my cash.
After reading this article, I have a budding respect for Pearson. He's learned some things about the industry that I suspect many artists never do -- for better or worse. But in his case, it appears to have made him a better professional.

But I'm not one here to pass judgement on anyone. Best of luck, I'll be picking this one up for sure.

[Pack]

I was just being nosey. To quote Jack McCoy, I withdraw the question.

[mrhelm]

Cool. Black Ops gets revisited AND I get more Jason Pearson work, all at the same time.

Very cool.

[jasinmartin]

It's very good to hear there's some more substantial material coming soon from Pearson, he's my favorite artist, up there with Michael Golden as one of the true inspirations.

It seems there's a dark cloud that follows this guy around, but I've never met him, and frankly, regardless, to me the person and the work are two separate things. Hopefully this will lead to a more productive comics future for him, cause I'd love to see more stuff (including MORE BODY BAGS 8)!

[FIG]

One of my favorite artists is finally making a comeback. I mean I've seen the covers and occasional story (Global Frequency #11) but its nice to see we may finally get some consistent work from him. I can't wait to get Redbird! Whatever hes on, I'll be there to buy.

[MichaelCoughlin]

Originally posted by MattBrady
and Spider-Man is one of those characters where eventually, I’d love to do that epic run with him, and show people what I could do,” Pearson said. “I don’t think anyone’s done it right yet – and yes, that’s my arrogant opinion talking, but I think I could pull off a good run on that book. We’ll see what happens.”

I was with him until this. I mean, good for him that he wants to do a great run on Spidey - I think he has the talent to do so. But common, Spidey's had some of the greatest artists of all time on the title for some pretty decent length's of time.

[choisez]

Jason Pearson rocks!

As much as I've enjoyed his work in the past, I think his time away from comics has only made him that much more dedicated to doing even better work now.

I'll bet he's not only writing and drawing Red Bird, but he's also doing the colors and cover too. What a glutton! =)

For awhile there, artists did seem to run the show and even writers had their day in the sun, but now I think things have moved into that happy place where the combination of both are what's most important to fans.

Recently, he's worked w/ Warren Ellis, Geoff Johns and even Alan Moore. And I'm sure he feels more confidant handling Redbird by himself, but I hope he gets a chance to team-up w/ another talented writer to continue making great comics.

Maybe if he'd brought someone in on Body Bags, he could've bounce some ideas off 'em and create the next killer story there too.

And why didn't Marvel ever run that awesome Spider-Man cover?

I hope he doesn't leave the world of Wildstorm too soon, but give that man a Spider-Man mini! Maybe he could even have something ready for the next movie?

Anyways, here's to Jason Pearson rocking comics again!

-Eddy

[PhillipVargas]

Jason Person's work has always been top notch. It's great to see him back and I look forward to picking up his new project.

[kickstand]

eddy-
i believe dave stewart is coloring redbird.

[Oeming]

I so love Jason- so happy to see him "back". I have a big fat file of his work from the earlier days, and recently at Heroes, I saw his new work in a huge binder- It blows away the 90's work.
Awsome to see his work again!
And he's right what he said about the industry, his story is pretty common. Glad to see him kicking ass.
M!

[El Argentino]

Jason Pearson is GOD....

......Ok, yeah is too much...besides Adam Hughes is GOD.

Jason Pearson is JESUS!!

Amen

[Chesscub]

I met him about 4 years ago at an in-store signing (Comics Etc. in Rochester) and he signed a couple issues of Legion of Super-Heroes issues that he did. The funny thing was that my first issue ever of Legion was Legion v4 #38 which was one of his last issues on the book.

He was a genuinely nice guy. After a couple minutes of talking, he started doing backer board sketches for attendees. I wish that I was able to stick around to get one (I would've loved to've gotten one of Wildfire)

Jeff

[Brandon Peterson]

I've seen the Redbird stuff at Heroes as well. Very good stuff. I can't wait to see it all colred and slicked up. Tack that on to doing a few very kick-ass covers a month and Jason will soon be shaking off any doubts about his work like dust from the road.

Brandon

[Keven@TheRide]

Don't forget that he will be doing 12 pages in The Ride #2. Look for it in late July, from Image Comics.

And, yes, Jason is one of the most talented guys in the industry, hands down. He is really going to close out our initial story with a bang, one that will be worth checking out!

-K

[SHABBAZZ]

Another big Pearson fan here.

I think the series of covers he did for the villains one-shots for DC is some of his most overlooked work.

Also the Savage Dragon miniseries was incredible. The car chase with the dirt bikes was cinematic.

Here's guy who is as good a draftsman as the big boys (Hughes, Cho, etc.) combined with a unique stylization to rival Madureira, Ramos, Bachalo, etc.

He's in my second tier of favorite artists behind Art Adams and Eduardo Risso.

[YDLM]

I have always loved this guys work, and always want to see him do work for Marvel on a character like Deadpool, Spidey, or even Weapon X. The guy works has so much energy in it, and he would be perfect on most action books. Good Luck, I hope to see in the Wizard top ten soon, because we all know that you suck, if you arent on Wizard list

[Heroic Images]

What a fantastic artist! It's interesting to hear some of his backstory. I always admire his cover work...

Davey